Film guide

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Here is a series of titles of movies playing in Orange County. Unless noted, movies are in wide release.

NEW THIS WEEK

“12 Years a Slave” – R – (for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality); (Century 20 Bella Terra Huntington Beach, Edwards University Town Center 6, Regal Island Cinemas) In one of the finest historical movies ever made, you are there with Solomon Northup, a free black man from New York, as he's kidnapped into slavery and he must deploy his wit, strength and passion to survive. (Orange County Register) 2 hours, 13 minutes. Grade:
A+. Review,
Page 1

“House in the Alley” – Not rated – (AMC 30 at the Outlets of Orange) What lifts this Vietnamese horror film above the realm of routine ghost stories is the portrait of an unsteady marriage at its volatile core. (Orange County Register) In Vietnamese with subtitles. 1 hour, 33 minutes. Grade:
B. Review,
Page 7

“Kill Your Darlings” – R – (for sexual content, language, drug use and brief violence); (Edwards University Town Center 6) This vibrant portrait of a legendary New York bohemia in the 1940s transcends its flaws by evoking genuine feeling for poets in their youth. (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 44 minutes. Grade:
B+. Review,
Page 4

“Mickey Virus” – Not rated – (AMC 30 at the Outlets of Orange) When Delhi police come across an unusual case revolving hacking they seek help of an expert who thinks like them, only to come across lazy hacker Mickey Arora. (
imdb.com) In Hindi with subtitles. 2 hours, 10 minutes.

“She's the One” – Not rated – (Century Promenade 25) A morning show host suddenly realizes what he really wants when his best friend turns out to be the subject of a romantic viral video that captures the attention of the whole nation. (
imdb.com) In Filipino and Tagalog with subtitles. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

“Torn” – Not rated – (Edwards Westpark 8) A powerful tale that explores the aftermath of a terrorist attack through the eyes of two mothers who lost sons in the blast. (San Francisco Chronicle) 1 hour, 20 minutes. Grade:
B. Review,
Page 2

“Carrie” – R – (for bloody violence, disturbing images, language and some sexual content) This remake of the horror classic about high school is banal as a screed against bullying and inept as a thriller. (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 39 minutes. Grade: C

“Chinese Zodiac” – PG-13 – (for martial arts action, some violent content and brief nudity); (Edwards University Town Center 6) A man (Jackie Chan) searches the world for a set of mystic artifacts – 12 bronze heads of the animals from the Chinese zodiac. (
imdb.com) In English, Mandarin, French, Spanish and Russian with subtitles. 2 hours.

“The Face Reader” – Not rated – (AMC 30 at the Outlets of Orange) Set in Korea during the seizure of the throne by Sejo of Joseon in 1455, the movie follows the life of Nae-Kyung, the son of a ruined noble family who goes all around Joseon and studies physiognomy. He is able to assess the personality, mental state and habits of a person by looking at someone's face. Because of his abilities, he gets involved in a power struggle. (
imdb.com) In Korean with subtitles. 2 hours, 22 minutes.

“Grace Unplugged” – PG – (for thematic elements and brief teen drinking) Grace Trey is the ideal Christian teen who is also a phenomenal singer. But at the tender age of 18, after she gets the music break of a lifetime and is thrust into the “real world” – her faith is put to the test. (
imdb.com) 1 hour, 42 minutes.

“Gravity” – PG-13 – (for intense perilous sequences, some disturbing images and brief strong language) This enthralling tale of survival in space will open up young audiences' eyes to the excitement of out-of-this-world exploration – and make older audiences remember the wonder they felt at “2001: A Space Odyssey.” (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 30 minutes. Grade: A

“Grown Ups 2” – PG-13 – (for crude and suggestive content, language and some male rear nudity); (AMC Fullerton 20, Regency Charter Centre Cinemas, Woodbridge Movies 5) In this misbegotten sequel, Adam Sandler and friends try to reignite their old partying spirit on their kids' last day of school, leading to a big blow-out at Sandler's place and jokes about every possible bodily fluid. (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 41 minutes. Grade: D+

“I'm in Love with a Church Girl” – PG – (for thematic elements, a scene of violence, some suggestive content and brief language) This tale of a reformed drug dealer's relationship with a devout Christian woman tries to impress upon its audience the power of the church but instead ends up being heavy-handed and tedious. (The Washington Post) 1 hour, 58 minutes. Grade: D

“Insidious Chapter 2” – PG-13 – (for intense sequences of terror and violence, and thematic elements) This sequel to the horror hit about a boy lost in the demon-infested netherworld called The Further adds the element of time travel to its paranormal expeditions – and sinks in its own murk. (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 45 minutes. Grade: D+

“Instructions Not Included” – PG-13 – (for sexual content, thematic elements and language) A man who has made a new life for himself and the daughter left on his doorstep 6 years ago finds his family threatened when the birth mother resurfaces. (
imdb.com) In Spanish and English with subtitles. 1 hour, 55 minutes.

“Lee Daniels' The Butler” – PG-13 – (for some violence and disturbing images, language, sexual material, thematic elements and smoking) A powerhouse cast, including the astonishingly subtle Oprah Winfrey, transcends a sometimes forced and preachy script in this tumultuous, affecting story of a black White House butler and his family. (Orange County Register) 2 hours, 12 minutes. Grade: B

“Linsanity” – PG – (for some thematic elements and language); (Regency South Coast Village 3) Solid documentary about pro basketball sensation Jeremy Lin's rise to national prominence and his effect on the sport. (San Francisco Chronicle) In English and Mandarin with subtitles. 1 hour, 28 minutes. Grade: C+

“Metallica Through The Never (IMAX 3D)” – R – (for some violent content and language), (AMC 30 at the Outlets of Orange) This blend of a rock concert movie with an action flick is certain to please fans of Metallica as well as other hard rock lovers. (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 32 minutes. Grade: B

“Runner Runner” – R – (for language and some sexual content) This gambling/caper movie about an Ivy League numbers whiz who goes to work in an offshore, online gambling empire and then battles his corrupt boss, is a slack, hectic tale of a worm turning. (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 30 minutes. Grade: C-

“The Summit” – R – (for some language); (Edwards Westpark 8) This account of the August 2008 mountain-climbing disaster on K2 is both an enveloping outdoor adventure and a many-sided tale about extreme sport ethics and the nature of truth. (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 35 minutes. Grade: A-

“We're the Millers” – R – (for crude sexual content, pervasive language, drug material and brief graphic nudity); (AMC Fullerton 20, Regency Charter Centre Cinemas, Woodbridge Movies 5) A high-concept low farce about a quartet of young and old losers posing as a family to smuggle two tons of weed out of Mexico; all the humor is below the belt in more ways than one. (Orange County Register) 1 hour, 50 minutes. Grade: D

“The Wolverine” – PG-13 – (for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, some sexuality and language); (Regency Charter Centre Cinemas) A cut above this year's other superhero movies, this latest adventure about the brawny, boisterous mutant with healing powers and metallic claws develops its own seriocomic power by setting him down in super-refined Japan. (Orange County Register) 2 hours, 6 minutes. Grade: B

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